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Extreme temperatures can cause undue stress on your vehicle. Keeping your car in a garage or covered space is a number one defense to protect it but that isn’t always possible. As an owner there are several other steps you can take to ensure your vehicle is maintained so you have a dependable means of transportation even in the most severe of weather conditions.

Oil Changes

Schedule your oil changes and keep that appointment! It can’t be stressed enough how important clean and recommended oil levels are for your car’s engine. Extreme temperatures can wreak havoc on your car’s engine and oil is a first offense to safeguarding it. In severe cold make sure you start your car and leave it running for 3 – 4 minutes before driving it. Warming the engine also warms the oil for smooth engine lubrication and brings the oil level to an acceptable standard.

Tire Pressure

High heat and sub-zero temperatures cause the pressure in your tires to fluctuate. Too much or too little pressure can cause tires to go flat. The recommended pressure is written on the side of your tires as PSI, which stands for pounds per square inch. Your local technician can do this for you or you can invest in a tire gauge to track the pressure yourself. Check all four tires and stay within the recommended PSI for optimum performance.

Windshield and Windows

If ice has formed on the windshield or it is covered with heavy snow, don’t use your wipers to try and scrape it off. Not only will the wipers become damaged, you could damage the motor that runs the wipers. The same with your side windows; electronic windows are controlled by tiny motors that can become damaged if you try to put them down when they are frozen shut or snow covered. Replacing a motor can be costly and inconvenient. Technology has made huge improvements in auto glass but it is still susceptible to stress caused by heat and cold. Chips and cracks are more apt to occur during extreme temperatures. Drive a safe distance from other vehicles that could toss stones or other debris at your car.

Battery

Batteries that are 4 – 5 years old could leave you stranded in both hot or cold whether. According to professional mechanics that work on Subaru Tribeca parts, newer model cars have many electronic components that draw the charge even when the car isn’t running. The heat can be very harsh on the car battery. Extremely high temperatures will cause your battery to corrode faster, and can even evaporate your battery fluid. If there’s any question about the battery, it is best to change your battery before you have no choice.

While you may not be able to avoid driving in severe weather, it is important to know the facts about how these extreme temperatures can damage your car. Most importantly, if you are leaving your car somewhere for a long period of time, try to make sure it is in favorable temperatures. Letting your car sit out in the cold for three weeks while you are on vacation, or putting it out in the hot driveway for a few days is not a good idea. If possible, find optimal storage space for your car in order to protect it from harsh temperatures, and you’ll save yourself a big headache as well as money in the future.